Art For Other People #12 1984

Richard Deacon made this sculpture, "Art For Other People #12," out of marble and leather. The creamy, cool marble curves in on itself, framing a row of tactile indents, and resting, incongruously, on soft leather petals. There's such a great sense of touch in this piece, which you get when you put together hard and soft materials. The smooth, weighty feel of the marble contrasts with the yielding pliability of the leather. It's a bit like a dance, where each element is both distinct and relational, setting off and accentuating the other. Look closely, and you'll notice the way the leather is stitched together. These lines, not quite perfect, show the hand of the artist. I think of Eva Hesse, and her exploration of form and material. Like her, Deacon invites us to appreciate the messy, human, and imperfect qualities in art. There’s no one way to experience this piece, and that’s what makes it so compelling.